TWO FEMALE HITCHHIKERS WERE ROBBED IN MANKWENG
POLOKWANE: The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has once more sent a strong warning to commuters who continuously engage themselves in hitchhiking.
This follows an armed robbery on Thursday evening, 11 January 2024, along the R71 next to Serala bridge outside Polokwane.
Preliminary reports indicate that two women were hitchhiking to Mankweng when a silver grey Nissan Tiida with two male occupants offered them a lift.
When they reached Mankweng policing area, the vehicle took the wrong direction into the bushes. The male passenger produced a firearm and pointed at the victims. The suspects then robbed the victims off their cellphones and transferred money into their accounts using the Banking App. They also robbed them an undisclosed amount of cash and shoes.
The suspects thereafter drove off and left the victims in the bushes. The victims were eventually assisted by the community, and police were summoned.
” We still warn members of the public to stay vigilant to prevent such incidents. Commuters are advised to consider alternative transportation options such as the use of public transport. It is important that passengers exercise caution at all times in order to avoid being robbed off their belongings and ultimately being raped and murdered, ” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
Police have opened two counts of armed robbery and anyone with information that can assist the police in arresting the suspects should contact Mankweng Detectives on 0825656764 or the Crime Stop number 08600 10111; the nearest Police Station or via the MySAPS App.
Police investigations continue.
